Shipper Manifesto: Sif/Loki [Thor]

[pirateveronica.livejournal.com]

and so sorry this is late.



This pairing has everything! UST! forbidden love! jealousy!

Sif and Loki. What to say about this truly wonderful pairing. Its important to say that in the realm of shipping, this couple has very little canonical support, yet the ease and inevitability of their relationship is there for all to see and wonder. There is a scene in the first half of the movie, where Sif and the Warriors Three go to talk to Loki about bringing Thor back to Asgaard and theres this look she gives him


this one right here


and right there, in your head, you're thinking " "THERE! RIGHT THERE! WHAT WAS THAT? IS THAT A SMILE? OMG! THERE'S SOMETHING THERE, ISN'T THERE? YES THERE IS! SHE SMILED! I AM SURE SHE SMILED! OMG! I SHIP IT!” (di_br) and bam. The ship has sailed. It is that easy.


I'm not one that usually goes for ships with little canonical support (unless you count my illogical shipping of Weir/Cam in Stargate haha) but these two just UUUUG, grab me.

Sif is a woman who has defied the rigid gender binaries of Asgaard to become one of the most celebrated warriors of her time. She is well respected and loved by all and it is a natural assumption that she would be Thor's future wife. The typical structure of movies would indicate this and had Thor not been banished to Earth and the movie took place solely on Asgaard, then Sif would have become the love interest of the film.

But she is not, that is Jane's role. So instead the audience gets to view a female character outside of the confines of a romantic interest (a statement I am now completely undermining by writing this manifesto lol). We get to see her interact with other characters and the film presents her as one of the few allies Loki has, one of the few people who dared to defy him, challenge him, and offer support to him.

It is this thread that fanfiction has taken up and is one of the fan-canon truths of this pairing, the backstory that has been written into this movie by us. That Sif was destined to become Thor's wife and Queen and that this arrangement was neither appealing nor appalling to either Sif or Thor (the two have a very strong friendship and are much like siblings). But Sif was ultimately more attracted to Loki and he to her and she has the audacity to go for it. To follow her feelings and seduce the Prince not meant for her. A common trope in fanfiction for these two is how this conflict plays out; that Loki will never be King, that these two really can't and shouldn't be together, yet they are.

Loki, the "villain" of the film (and of the upcoming Avengers where I reallly don't want him to die, I want him to find redemption so bad). A young man struggling under intense pressure by his family. He wants nothing more than to make his father proud, to be as good as Thor. And in many ways, he is better than Thor (at least at the start of the film) and he's much more attuned to leadership than his brother. Yet despite how good of a leader Loki may be, he will never be King and he will always be second to Thor.

This makes him an incredibly compelling and relatable character (which is one of the reasons the film did so well). You sympathize with him, you want to give him a hug, prevent him from going down the dark destructive path he chooses when he discovers he is adopted.

I love the way fan-canon has taken Loki's insecurities and darkness and positioned them against and in conjunction with Sif. Where he has doubt and jealously, she has confidence and loyalty. And it is this interplay and juxtaposition that make these two so compelling.

It is as if Loki can never believe that Sif loves him. Raised always in the shadow of Thor and knowing full well that Sif is meant for Thor, it makes it hard to believe that she would love him. That anyone would choose to be with him, the 2nd best. Even more so after he realizes he is a frost-giant, that she could still love him, it terrifies him. He has internalized his unworthiness so much that he closes himself off to any possibility of happiness.

And Sif, Sif become fearless in her pursuit of Loki. She of course worries about the uncertainty of their future, but she pushes him, challenges him without doubt, making him question everything about himself. Which is remarkable. I love a woman who goes for what she wants.

It is with Sif that Loki can find his redemption.
And Sif is just such a goddam badass that she gets what she wants.


There is so much great fic in this fandom! Its madness.

This is my favourite fan vid for these two. Its perfect.
original lj post/source by ageless_aislynn



OTHER STUFF

- I cannot recommend enough people to go read cobweb_diamond's manifesto on this pairing. She explores why they are so awesome (different that I did and in many ways better that I do) plus she also explores the Queer possibilities for this ship (which I LURVE)

- this wonderfulmeta/picspam by erethesunrises does a fantastic and indepth character study of Loki with a bit of a focus of his inevitable romance with Sif.

- silverducks explores whether Sif/Loki is supported by the actual myths here

- a Sif/Loki tumblr


FANMIXES

I See You by samescenes
Whispers in the Dark by street_of_mercy



FIC

Fic Title: Like a Shotgun Needs an Outcome
Author: memlu
Link: http://archiveofourown.org/works/202405
Rating/Warning(s): R
Genre: PWP
WIP?: no

Why This Must Be Read:This story is told from Loki’s POV, which is rare in this fandom, which is one of the reasons why it must be read. A lot of this pairing is told from Sif’s pov, and Loki’s feelings remain a mystery – this fic helps remove that. Its a loving smutty short piece that really exemplifies these two characters.




Fic Title: One True Thing
Author: walksbyherself
Link: http://norsekink.livejournal.com/2496.html?thread=2291904
Rating/Warning(s): M
Genre: angst
WIP?: no

Why This Must Be Read: I adore this commentfic as it so perfectly captures these two wonderful people. The story works both with flashbacks and post-movie plotlines, drawing out the evolving nature of their relationship. Its beautiful and heartbreaking and so perfect.




Fic Title: Shield and Maiden
Author: cactus_rabbit
Link: http://norsekink.livejournal.com/3231.html?thread=5461407
Rating/Warning(s): NC17
Genre: smut
WIP?: no (well it doesn't say its done, but it has a um…natural conclusion lol)

Why This Must Be Read: another comment fix from norsekink .Its deliciously wonderful, showcasing this wonderful couple several years into their affair. Their ease with one another is beautiful and their lightheartedness and teasing is just adorable.




Fic Title: Hand to Hold
Author: melmu
Link: http://archiveofourown.org/works/212614
Rating/Warning(s): NC17
Genre: angsty smut
WIP?: nope

Why This Must Be Read: I love this piece for a few reasons. First, it sets itself in a post-Avengers world where Loki is working on redemption and coming back to Asgard. Second, it focuses on the mutual love and softness that both Loki and Sif feel for each other, which I appreciate. I find many other fics tend to focus on Loki’s stoicness




Fic Title: The Salt Skin
Author: hariboo_smirks
Link: http://hetbigbang.weebly.com/the-salt-skin-by-hariboo_smirks.html
Rating/Warning(s): R
Genre: romance, adventure, angst
WIP?: no

Why This Must Be Read: You should read it because its perfect. Set post-Thor this story is about Sif mourning the loss of Loki but then suddenly finding herself on Earth (it makes sense in the story, don't worry). There she finds Loki and they begin to work on their relationship, rebuilding the trust that he destroyed. Plus it has a side helping of Jane/Thor which is squishy-lovely (and several Sif+Jane scenes). At over 44000 words, this one is a story to sit down with a cup of tea and enjoy.





Fic Title: Winter's Heart
Author: peripeteia / peri_peteia
Link: http://archiveofourown.org/works/259325/chapters/405180
Rating/Warning(s): PG13
Genre: AU
WIP?: no, but a sequel is planned

Why This Must Be Read: I was originally hesitant to read this because I wasn't sure how well these characters would translate into an AU. But I did (thanks to a post I found over here by hoshizora ) and I really enjoyed it. This story is an incredibly thoughtful exploration of what these characters are at their essence. It explores and expands on some of their experiences to explain why they make the decisions they do. It attempts to undermine the static roles that characters are put into (hero, villain, etc) and instead makes them all into characters that move fluidly through all the roles. At almost 60 000 words, it takes its beautiful time exploring these characters.





Fic Title: Knife's Edge
Author: phoenixfawkes12
Link: http://norsekink.livejournal.com/3415.html?thread=7878743
Rating/Warning(s):
Genre: PWP…there be no plot here
WIP?: no

Why This Must Be Read: Hawt smut. But what makes me recc this particular piece of hawt smut is the detailing in this short piece. The throwaway references to their hair, to belonging, to Thor make this a perfect character study. Its from Loki's pov, and the author nails his character perfectly; the harried panic he tries to hide, the fact that he feels so damn much, his insecurities. Its perfect. And hawt as hell.





Fic Title: Hulinhjalmur
Author: cactus_rabbit
Link: http://norsekink.livejournal.com/3231.html?thread=5678239
Rating/Warning(s): M, bloodkink
Genre: kinky adventure?
WIP?: no

Why This Must Be Read: Definitely not for everyone, as it has some bloodkink and piercing in it (all 100% consensual though). I like this because Loki does have a super dark element to his personality and as a magician of sorts, he would want to put a protection spell on Sif. Its a sensual exploration of him putting that spell on her, her apprehension about boundary pushing, but ultimately the complete trust that exists between these two. Plus it has tons of the Sif-Loki banter that this pairing is known for





Fic Title: Two of a Kind
Author: mechelune
Link: The first chapter is here: http://mechelune.livejournal.com/730.html but to find the rest, use this link: http://mechelune.livejournal.com/?skip=10&tag=sif%26loki
Rating/Warning(s): PG13
Genre: romance, angst
WIP?: nope (11 chapters + epilogue

Why This Must Be Read: I love stories that take place after The Avengers that work under the premise of Loki surviving that movie (*fingers crossed*) and this story does it wonderfully. Mechelune balances the characters and their emotions so lovely and she tugs at your heartstrings. Its a perfect mix of angst and happiness. Jane/Thor also occur in this story.





Fic Title: I'll Know You By Your Name
Author: magisterequitum
Link: http://magisterequitum.livejournal.com/508632.html
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13
Genre: AU
WIP?: nope

Why This Must Be Read: This AU makes Sif a US Marshall and Loki as a lawyer. When I first came across this, I was all "eh?" with a confused face; what an au! and I doubted it would work. But it SOOOOO does. Sif and Loki so effortlessly fit into those roles that the story moves along with great pacing. Its got all the tension of a great romance mixed with a plot full of immediacy that keeps the story moving. Definitely worth checking out.




Fic Title: untitled
Author: anonymous
Link: http://norsekink.livejournal.com/3231.html?thread=7324575
Rating/Warning(s): PG13
Genre: angst
WIP?:

Why This Must Be Read: its frakn heartbreaking! This story is incredibly short, about 400 words, but it is perfection. Set in a post-movie/alt-future where Loki is/has become a Frost Giant, he has betrayed everyone and everything. Alone and dying, Sif is the one to find him. Explores how Sif would still accept him, even when he would not accept himself. Just go read it. Seriously.




Fic Title: A sock on the door would be too subtle
Author: anonymous
Link: http://norsekink.livejournal.com/2496.html?thread=3980480
Rating/Warning(s): R
Genre: humour, PWP
WIP?: no

Why This Must Be Read: one of my favourite tropes in this fandom is Thor walking in on Sif/Loki and this story is as charming as it is HAWT.




Fic Title: untitled
Author: peri_peteia
Link: http://norsekink.livejournal.com/2496.html?thread=4395456
Rating/Warning(s): PG13
Genre: romance
WIP?: nope

Why This Must Be Read: A traditional sort of ship fic (but I don't mean that in an bad way). Sif makes a move on Loki when she's slightly inebriated and he refuses, humiliating Sif. But why this story needs to be read is how honest peri tells this story and the adoration she gives to the characters. They are spot on and the story is fluffy, but not in a comatose way. Its incredibly enjoyable to read.
“I watch you… and I just want to see you undone.”



Fic Title: exit strategies through gilded doors
Author: imp3ratrix
Link: http://imp3ratrix.livejournal.com/21214.html
Rating/Warning(s): R
Genre: angst
WIP?:

Why This Must Be Read: so much angst. so perfect. What I love about this story is how poetic the author has written it. So much exists outside of what she's written, but the words she's chosen are so harsh and full of meaning. The author's summary of this short story is "theirs is a history of chances lost, of words unspoken and unheard." and I really cannot say it any better.